A newly developed disc-shaped satellite platform known as DiskSat has entered commercial use shortly after reaching orbit, with two companies signing agreements to adapt the design for specialized missions.
Developed with support from NASA and the Space Systems Command, DiskSat is engineered for rapid deployment via rideshare launches and optimized for operations in very low Earth orbit (VLEO). Its flat geometry allows multiple spacecraft to be packed efficiently into a single launch, potentially reducing deployment costs for constellations.
Two non-exclusive licenses have been finalized. Satlyt plans to use the platform for edge computing, autonomous operations and in-orbit data processing, while Orbotic Systems will employ DiskSat for sensing missions in VLEO. Orbotic’s planned pathfinder mission will test a WIND (Wind Ion Neutral Density) sensor designed to collect new types of space weather data.
“DiskSat was designed from the beginning to be ready for industry,” said Deb Salvaggio, director of technology transfer at The Aerospace Corporation, which manages the program. She said the agreements demonstrate the platform’s versatility for both government and commercial applications.
The licensing arrangements include collaboration on technical documentation, mission planning and validation activities. Aerospace officials indicated that additional licensing opportunities may follow as interest grows in VLEO missions and compact satellite architectures.
DiskSat’s development reflects a broader trend toward specialized small satellites capable of operating at lower altitudes, where atmospheric drag is higher but observation resolution and signal strength can improve.
